With colder weather right around the corner, winter will be here before you know it. With this, you will likely find your calendar getting filled up with holiday festivities, shopping outings and all of the fun things that come with the winter season. Furthermore, in the midst of this exciting time, you could also have friends and family over too. Having said that, the last thing you want to have happen during this time is to have a plumbing issue pop up. Not that there’s ever a perfect time to experience plumbing problems, but I think you can safely say that the holiday season isn’t the most ideal time, right?
As is a common occurrence here on our plumbing blog, we often enjoy providing tips to business owners and homeowners on how they can better manage their plumbing system. Given that the winter season can present some unique plumbing issues, we felt now would be a good time to discuss the best ways to ensure your plumbing system is adequately prepared for the winter months. Throughout this week’s blog post, we’ll do just that and hopefully limit your odds of having to deal with a plumbing headache this winter.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses
There’s no denying that the weather can change quickly here in Kansas City. One day you could be wearing shorts and the next day you could find yourself looking for a jacket. All in all, what I’m hinting at here is the fact that it never hurts to be ahead of the game when it comes to preparing for the winter season. After all, we’ve had snow in October before! So…in regards to our first topic of discussion, some of you may have already completed this task. If you haven’t though, this should serve as a reminder to add it to your to-do list. This task is to disconnect any outdoor hoses and store them in your garage.
The reason why this is so important is because of the troubles that can arise as a result of frozen pipes. When water freezes, it expands. With this being true, it’s not hard to see how just a little bit of water left behind can expand, thus putting extra pressure on your pipes and spigot, before eventually resulting in significant plumbing problems. Luckily, there’s an easy way to prevent this and it simply entails disconnecting those outdoor hoses before the freezing temps arrive and storing the hoses in your garage until spring.
Headed Out of Town?
Even though our next point isn’t something that you’ll be doing now in preparation for the winter months, it is still worth mentioning regardless. For those that will be traveling this winter, it’s important to be mindful of your plumbing system to ensure you’re not greeted with plumbing issues upon your return home. With that all being said, what should you have on your to-do list before you head out of town?
Leave the Heat On. Unsurprisingly, the most notable plumbing issue that can be attributed to the colder weather is frozen pipes. And if these pipes were to burst, there can be significant damage that follows afterwards (especially if you’re out of town during that time). One definite thing that you’ll want to double check before leaving is the thermostat. Make sure the heat will still kick on, even if the forecast doesn’t call for frigid temperatures.
Open Cabinet Doors. Another worthwhile task that many people may be familiar with involves opening the cabinet doors under the sinks. This will allow the heat to make its way to those pipes underneath and limit the odds of an issue there. As a side note, it also doesn’t hurt to open the cabinet doors (even while you’re still at home) on those extremely cold nights. We all know that we’ll likely have a few of these each winter.
Turn Off Main Water Shut-Off. A final precautionary item that you may not have considered would be turning off the main water shut-off valve. As we hinted at above, the primary item of concern associated with the winter weather is water damage arising from frozen and bursted pipes. Well…in addition to leaving the heat on while you’re gone, it would also not be a bad idea to turn off the main shut-off valve. This is just another safety item to ensure you’re protected.
No matter how long you’ll be out of town, we strongly recommend following these precautions. In the midst of celebrating the holidays, you don’t want to be worried about whether or not your plumbing system at home is handling the cold weather properly!
Evaluate Un-Insulated Pipes
As we continue on with this week’s blog post, another winter-preparation task that we’ll discuss is going to involve taking note of any un-insulated pipes, particularly in parts of the house that don’t receive as much heat. Think of areas like unfinished basements or attics. These areas are going to be more susceptible to freezing and as such, the pipes may require some added-insulation. You should be able to find foam insulation at your local hardware store and it’s generally inexpensive too! All in all, this is yet another safety precaution that’s worth looking into before the cold weather strikes. Look for water lines in the areas I mentioned above, including those lines connected to the water heater.
Frigid Temps Outside? Remember This!
For those that have lived here in Kansas City for more than a few years, you’re likely well aware that it can get VERY cold some years. While freezing temps alone should prompt you to implement some precautions, when it’s downright frigid outside, you should take extra safety! One easy step that definitely won’t hurt is to let the faucets slowly drip (especially overnight when the weather is at its coldest). This, in addition to opening the cabinet doors under the sink as we referenced above, are definitely worth doing to reduce the chances of frozen pipes.
Worried About How Your Plumbing System Will Handle Winter?
While some plumbing issues are inevitable and simply arise from the daily wear and tear it experiences, that isn’t necessarily true about all of them! With a little maintenance and proactive thinking, you can definitely keep your plumbing system in the best position to minimize the number of repairs needed. As evidenced by this week’s blog post, one perfect example of proactive thinking involves planning ahead for the winter season and staying mindful of how you keep it winter-ready throughout the colder months. Along with each of the items we highlighted above, it’s also a good idea to take a few minutes to look around your entire plumbing system. Be on the watch for any noticeable leaks. If it’s been awhile since you flushed your water heater or tested your sump pump, add those to your to-do list! Plumbing is something that’s easy to forget about, so a routine check can be worth it!
If you do have a plumbing problem pop up this winter, you can always give us a call here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing. With years of experience, our team can troubleshoot just about any plumbing issue and get your system back in working order. We currently serve the entire Kansas City area, as well as many of the surrounding cities. To learn more and request a free estimate, you’re welcome to fill out the form HERE.